ARO

"Better than expected" is the new catchphrase for retailers, most of whom posted August sales that were weak but not as bad as many had forecast. Sales reported Thursday showed that shoppers continue to focus on must-have items such as food and toiletries, while luxury sales are dragging....

Stocks recovered from a big dip in early trading and stayed in positive territory for most of the day before plunging in the final 45 minutes of the trading session. Better-than-expected earnings reports by Sears (SHLD), Gap (GPS) and Aeropostale (ARO) raised hopes that consumer spending could be...

Have retail sales turned the corner? Many chains reported that same-store sales were merely awful instead of cataclysmic. The major stock indexes rallied on the new indicating that investors are beginning to believe predictions that the economy may turn around late this year or early next...

Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A) credit rating was downgraded from the top "AAA" rating too "AA+" by Fitch, saying "AAA" ratings are not appropriate for financial-oriented companies in the current economy. Its senior unsecured debt rating it cut to AA from AAA. The agency also has concerns about equity...